Rare Achievement in Water Quality

New Plymouth District has joined a very small club by having all of its water infrastructure meet stringent new quality standards.

Confirmation has come through that all the district’s water treatment plants and distribution zones comply with the stringent water quality standards of the 2008 update of the 2005 Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand.

“Basically it means the quality of the water in all our treatment plants, and the quality of all the pipes and other infrastructure the water goes through to get to the public, meets the highest standards in New Zealand,” says General Manager Community Assets Anthony Wilson.

“Very few councils, other than some major water supply authorities, have gained 100 per cent compliance. It’s a rare achievement and one that’s taken a lot of work and dedication to achieve.”

The 100 per cent compliance follows upgrades of all treatment plants in the district during the last eight years, culminating in the $14 million Manaaki Wai upgrade of the New Plymouth Water Treatment Plant which was commissioned in April last year.

In addition, Oakura’s water supply was converted to bore water (being sourced from an aquifer rather than the Wairau Stream), and Okato’s treatment plant was relocated and rebuilt with the addition of an ultra-violet sterilisation system.